EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE made history with their stunning comeback against Lanark United on Saturday.

And for honorary chairman Allan Cairns it was one of the finest moments he has ever witnessed in the club’s 48-years.

The Showpark side trailed Lanark 3-0 at half-time, but somehow found the resolve to turn things around and win the Central District Second Division clash 4-3.

Jordan McIntosh and Liam McLaughlin both hit doubles to pull off the remarkable win, with McLaughlin striking a last-minute winner just to add to the drama.

It marked the first time the Jags have ever come from three goals down to win in their history.

Cairns, who has been part of the club since it’s inception in 1968 and watched them lift the Junior Cup in 1983, reckons Saturday’s second-half display was right up there with Thistle’s most memorable games.

The 79-year-old, from Gardenhall, said: “This has never been done before.

“We’ve been 2-0 down and come back in games to win, but never 3-0 down - especially 3-0 down at half-time.

“I’ve been here for 48 years now and that was the most wonderful second half I’ve ever seen from Thistle.

“After a terrible first half it was like chalk and cheese. Lanark just had no answer to us in the second half.

“I never thought we’d produce a comeback like that in my lifetime.

“It was wonderful to see.”

EK Thistle's honorary chairman Allan Cairns reckons the comeback was one of the best things he's ever seen in their 48-year history

And the man who delivered the historic win insists Billy Campbell’s men fully believed they could pull off what must have seemed like an impossible task as they sat in the dressing room at half-time.

Nineteen-year-old McLaughlin has worked his way up through the Jags’ amateur team to earn his first team slot in recent weeks and he was overjoyed to play his part in the comeback.

“To score the winning goal in any game is great but to do it for the team after the way we came back into the game and make a bit of history as well is really special,” said McLaughlin, from Greenhills.

“It was brilliant and I’m really proud of that.

“I was delighted for my team-mates as much as myself because we all worked so hard to turn the game around.

“We know how good we can be and when we came out for the second half we all believed we could win the game.

“Lanark are up at the top end of the table, but we know we are capable of beating anyone in this league and there was no doubt in our minds we still have the quality to beat them.

“Everyone of us had to dig in, but we knew if we gave everything we had it was possible.”

McLaughlin has been a revelation since making the step up from the amateur ranks in January.

In the few games the Jags have played since the turn of the year the attacking midfielder has three goals to his name, as well as a handful of assists.

McLaughlin added: “I’ve got to thank Billy for having faith in me and throwing me straight into the first team.

“My first game in Junior football was in January and I’m really happy with how I’ve started,

“It’s great to repay Billy for believing in me and hopefully I can keep helping him and the team.”

Saturday’s victory was also of great importance to Thistle’s promotion hopes as they stayed in contention for a top three finish.

This weekend their resolve will be tested again when league leaders Cambuslang Rangers come calling and McLaughlin reckons the Jags can’t afford to chase another game after also coming from behind to draw 3-3 with Benburb a fortnight ago.

The former St Andrew’s and St Bride’s pupil said: “We’ve given ourselves a lot to do in the past couple of weeks, so we need to play at the top of our game from the first whistle against Cambuslang.

“We know what we are capable of and we know we can score goals.

“I think we will go into the game with a lot of confidence and we must have a positive frame of mind.

“There’s eight games left and everyone believes we can get promotion.”